48 Hours in OBX: Your Outer Banks Road Trip Itinerary
You don’t need a whole week or two to enjoy a vacation. Sometimes shorter is sweeter, and certainly a two-day vacation is better than none. We’ve mapped out your next Outer Banks road trip itinerary. Discover what you can do over 48 Hours in OBX with our curated guide to an unforgettable coastal adventure!
Day One
Morning
Arrive bright and early at the Outer Banks and head to the beach. If you can get there for sunrise, it will be worth the effort! With both east and west coast beaches, there is a variety to choose from, and this page will help you decide.
The first item on the itinerary is to fuel up. It’s time to find a great breakfast to eat on the beach! There are plenty of options for coffee and donuts, and for more savory fare, check out Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill or The Dunes Restaurant for a hearty Outer Banks breakfast.
Late Morning
Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. See where, on a cold day in December 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright changed the world forever as their powered airplane, the “Wright Flyer,” skimmed over the sands of the Outer Banks for 12 seconds before returning to the ground. Interact with exhibits at the welcome center that tell the story of the Wright brothers’ accomplishments as well as a replica of the 1903 flying machine.
Midday
Head to Jockey’s Ridge State Park for an easy hike or some hang gliding and kite flying. Jockey’s Ridge is the largest natural living sand dune on the East Coast. They have two self-guided trails and nature programs available year-round, and there is also a small gift shop, museum, picnic facilities, restrooms, and a visitor center with a museum attached to a 360-foot boardwalk. No entry fee is required.
Late afternoon
Check into your accommodations and freshen up for dinner!
If you enjoy partaking in adult beverages, and depending on your location, take some time to sip and savor at the OBX’s breweries and distilleries. There is wine, beer, and coffee tasting at Sweet T’s in Duck.
Dinner
From fresh seafood to fine dining to burgers and pizza, you can find it all at great restaurants in the Outer Banks. Click here for a list of offerings to choose from.
Evening (during the summer season)
Travel to Roanoke Island for a presentation of The Lost Colony. This 86-year-old musical is a must-see on your road trip itinerary. Performed under the stars, you’ll become immersed in this story about the discovery of a new world with stunning music and choreography. Witness the pageantry of Queen Elizabeth I and her court and celebrate the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America, all while preserving the historical importance of America's oldest mystery. (Note: Be sure to purchase tickets in advance.)
Day Two
Morning
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
Head to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, to see the site of the first English Colony, where Sir Walter Raleigh’s explorers and later colonists established settlements in 1585 and 1587. This would later become known as the “The Lost Colony” after 116 settlers disappeared without a trace.
This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island, and it pays homage to the Freedman’s Colony which played a significant role during the Civil War as one of the first safe havens for freed or runaway slaves in the South. There’s also an on-site visitor center, interpretive programs, and a nature trail.
Stroll through the majestic Elizabethan Gardens, which were designed as a living memorial to Queen Elizabeth and the Lost Colony. The gardens include a collection of Renaissance statues and Elizabethan-style buildings that transport you back in the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Late morning
Discover Roanoke Island Festival Park in Downtown Historic Manteo. Here you will see the Elizabeth II, a 69-foot sailing vessel representative of those who sailed to the New World in 1585.
Lunch
Explore and shop in Downtown Historic Manteo. There are so many great waterfront restaurants to choose from. Explore quirky shops and galleries and grab a coffee or ice cream cone!
Afternoon
Visit the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum and Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse on Roanoke Island. Located on the Manteo Waterfront, this museum is also known as the George Washington Creef Boat Shop. At this working boat shop, you can learn about the age-old form of boat restoration and construction. The replica of the 1850s screw-pile lighthouse that once stood guard over the nearby Croatan Sound will offer visitors a unique glimpse into the maritime history of the island, as well as the lightkeepers who once lived at the station. Admission is free to both.
Depart Downtown Manteo for Hatteras Island and hit the next spot on your road trip itinerary — the Outer Banks Scenic Byway!
Stop by the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station, a predecessor to the US Coast Guard, Chicamacomico is one of the most complete US lifesaving station sites in the nation. See historic buildings and a boathouse that housed the service that was the predecessor to the United States Coast Guard. Hear the history of daring ocean rescues by brave men who dedicated their lives to the sea.
Late afternoon
Arrive at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick beacon on the American coast. With its black and white stripes, it stands at 208 feet high. Learn the marvelous history, which includes its half-mile move away from the ocean in 2000. Admissions to the grounds are complimentary, with a minimal fee to climb to the top.
If you have time, stop at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village. This unique museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks and the more than 2,000 known shipwrecks that rest off our coast. See cannons from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne Revenge, an Enigma machine from the U-85, ship models, and many other artifacts.
If you are a wine lover, enjoy a wine tasting before dinner at the Lee Robinson General Store in Hatteras Village.
Evening
There’s nothing like an evening stroll on the beach to settle down and reflect on the joys of a wonderful two days in the Outer Banks!